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Nocturnes #2
Night Music: Nocturnes Volume 2
From the bestselling author of the Charlie Parker mysteries—"the finest crime series currently in existence" (The Independent)—comes a new anthology of chilling short fiction.
A decade after Nocturnes first terrified and delighted readers, John Connolly, bestselling author of thirteen acclaimed thrillers featuring private investigator Charlie Parker, gives us a second volume of tales of the supernatural. From stories of the monstrous for dark winter nights to fables of fantastic libraries and haunted books, from a tender account of love after death to a frank, personal, and revealing account of the author's affection for myths of ghosts and demons, this is a collection that will surprise, delight—and terrify.
Night Music: Nocturnes 2 also contains two novellas: the multi-award-winning The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository and The Fractured Atlas.
Night Music: Nocturnes 2 is a masterly collection to be read with the lights on—menace has never been so seductive.
A decade after Nocturnes first terrified and delighted readers, John Connolly, bestselling author of thirteen acclaimed thrillers featuring private investigator Charlie Parker, gives us a second volume of tales of the supernatural. From stories of the monstrous for dark winter nights to fables of fantastic libraries and haunted books, from a tender account of love after death to a frank, personal, and revealing account of the author's affection for myths of ghosts and demons, this is a collection that will surprise, delight—and terrify.
Night Music: Nocturnes 2 also contains two novellas: the multi-award-winning The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository and The Fractured Atlas.
Night Music: Nocturnes 2 is a masterly collection to be read with the lights on—menace has never been so seductive.
447 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
257 people are currently reading
2393 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
220 books7,901 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
November 2, 2015
Night Music: Nocturnes Volume Two is an unbelievably wonderful collection of tales from a master.
The only other short form John Connolly story I've read is The Wanderer in Unknown Realms, which I loved. Turns out that's part of a larger narrative: The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments. This is a group of 5 tales of varying lengths involving an ancient, evil text. Who doesn't love a good story about an evil book? And here, there's 5, (count them, 5!),and they are simply delicious.
Two of the other stories here are connected: The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository and Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Library and Book Depository. These are killer pieces about characters in books coming to life and in what type of places they reside. I want to go there for a nice long visit.
One of the reasons this collection is so perfect for me is all these stories about books. And book lovers. And book characters. And evil books. I can't resist!
Plus, Connolly's characterization and writing are beyond compare. I loved this passage from the story The Wander in Unknown Realms :
"There was a benignity to him that I liked, a happy disengagement from the futilities and ugliness of life's toil that one encountered in those who had discovered a way to take something for which they had only love and gratitude, and make it their means of support."
Ain't that the truth?
This was a lovely, dark collection. It ends with a sort of autobiographical essay called I Live Here ,which was enjoyable and included insights into John Connolly's boyhood experiences with horror fiction and movies.
I found every story in this volume worthy of my attention and I can't say enough good things about it. My highest recommendation!
*Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC. This is my honest review.*
The only other short form John Connolly story I've read is The Wanderer in Unknown Realms, which I loved. Turns out that's part of a larger narrative: The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments. This is a group of 5 tales of varying lengths involving an ancient, evil text. Who doesn't love a good story about an evil book? And here, there's 5, (count them, 5!),and they are simply delicious.
Two of the other stories here are connected: The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository and Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Library and Book Depository. These are killer pieces about characters in books coming to life and in what type of places they reside. I want to go there for a nice long visit.
One of the reasons this collection is so perfect for me is all these stories about books. And book lovers. And book characters. And evil books. I can't resist!
Plus, Connolly's characterization and writing are beyond compare. I loved this passage from the story The Wander in Unknown Realms :
"There was a benignity to him that I liked, a happy disengagement from the futilities and ugliness of life's toil that one encountered in those who had discovered a way to take something for which they had only love and gratitude, and make it their means of support."
Ain't that the truth?
This was a lovely, dark collection. It ends with a sort of autobiographical essay called I Live Here ,which was enjoyable and included insights into John Connolly's boyhood experiences with horror fiction and movies.
I found every story in this volume worthy of my attention and I can't say enough good things about it. My highest recommendation!
*Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC. This is my honest review.*
October 23, 2015
This will probably become a favorite collection for me and I now will start reading a lot of John Connolly's books. How have I missed him? Well I will miss him no longer.
In this collection, Connolly presents us with his own take on the world of the unusual or rather ghostly, somewhat fantastical--OK, remove the somewhat. If you enjoy tales of the fantastic with an otherworldly bent and a definite literary edge, Connolly is your man and Night Music is your book. The first story, a bibliophile's delight, "The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository," deals with the implications of the characters of well-loved books taking on corporal form when their authors die. "The Fractured Atlas--Five Fragments" is a novella that deals in books by way of the occult and is as close as this book comes to the world of horror. Definitely has creepy moments.
My absolute favorite, and candidate for having some of the most perfect lines of the entire book, is "Holmes on the Range." I strongly recommend it to anyone who has ever read (or watched) and enjoyed Sherlock Holmes in any of his various personas. Perfection.
This collection of 12 stories ends with Connolly's discussion of his love of writing in this genre of the supernatural, the books that have influenced him, etc. I have now added Nocturnes to my reading list and will be checking out more of Connolly's backlist. Excellent writing, excellent stories. Excellent package and highly recommended if you enjoy stories of the unknown, the un-natural and the beyond, written in a very literate manner.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
In this collection, Connolly presents us with his own take on the world of the unusual or rather ghostly, somewhat fantastical--OK, remove the somewhat. If you enjoy tales of the fantastic with an otherworldly bent and a definite literary edge, Connolly is your man and Night Music is your book. The first story, a bibliophile's delight, "The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository," deals with the implications of the characters of well-loved books taking on corporal form when their authors die. "The Fractured Atlas--Five Fragments" is a novella that deals in books by way of the occult and is as close as this book comes to the world of horror. Definitely has creepy moments.
My absolute favorite, and candidate for having some of the most perfect lines of the entire book, is "Holmes on the Range." I strongly recommend it to anyone who has ever read (or watched) and enjoyed Sherlock Holmes in any of his various personas. Perfection.
This collection of 12 stories ends with Connolly's discussion of his love of writing in this genre of the supernatural, the books that have influenced him, etc. I have now added Nocturnes to my reading list and will be checking out more of Connolly's backlist. Excellent writing, excellent stories. Excellent package and highly recommended if you enjoy stories of the unknown, the un-natural and the beyond, written in a very literate manner.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 24, 2015
John Connolly serves up a wicked brew of short stories and two novellas in Night Music that might very well have you looking over your shoulder for the foreseeable future. There is a wonderful flavor of the old-fashioned about these tales.
The Fractured Atlas was was my favorite in the mix. It will pull you into worlds other than the one we know. It is filled with obscure tomes, living, breathing books with whispery pages and long memories. Beware the man who doesn't like books and stinks because he is bad on the inside. Avoid the mud that carries a vile stench and remembers. This was chilling and excellent.
Other standouts for me were The Blood of the Lamb, A Dream of Winter, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, and The Children of Dr. Lyall.
A copy of this was furnished to me by Net Galley in exchange for a review. Thank you.
The Fractured Atlas was was my favorite in the mix. It will pull you into worlds other than the one we know. It is filled with obscure tomes, living, breathing books with whispery pages and long memories. Beware the man who doesn't like books and stinks because he is bad on the inside. Avoid the mud that carries a vile stench and remembers. This was chilling and excellent.
Other standouts for me were The Blood of the Lamb, A Dream of Winter, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, and The Children of Dr. Lyall.
A copy of this was furnished to me by Net Galley in exchange for a review. Thank you.
November 13, 2017
Consagrado como novelista de novela negra con su serie de Charlie Parker, John Connolly también se está convirtiendo en una gran escritor de relatos de terror. La atracción del irlandés por el terror es evidente en sus novelas, donde introduce elementos sobrenaturales de manera más que convincente, algo que algunos puristas del género negro han criticado, a mi modo de ver, injustamente. Lo bueno de estos relatos, es que tienen peso propio, Connolly sabe dotarles de una buena trama, con unos personajes bien definidos, y una atmósfera acorde. En mi opinión, es una gran antología de cuentos de terror.
Estos son los doce relatos, más un ensayo sobre los autores favoritos del género del autor, incluidos en ‘Música nocturna’ (Night Music, 2015):
La Biblioteca Privada y Depósito de Libros Caxton (*****). El señor Berger es un solitario funcionario que hace una fantástico descubrimiento cuando sigue a una misteriosa mujer que ha intentado suicidarse. Magnífico relato, uno de los mejores del libro, aunque es fantasía y no terror.
La sangre del cordero (*****). Unos padres esperan la visita de unos enviados del Vaticano, que vienen a examinar a su hija, la cuál parece poseer el don curar. Impresionante relato, de los que dejan huella.
Un sueño invernal (***). Un niño cuyo colegio está junto a un cementerio, ve el rostro de un hombre en la ventana. Breve e interesante.
La lamia (****). Carolyn fue violada, y aunque el culpable fue a juicio, salió libre. Ahora vive con una gran rabia dentro, y con ansías de venganza. Un día recibe una extraña tarjeta de visita donde dice PUEDO AYUDARTE. Muy buen relato.
El Rey Hueco (****). Una extraña neblina se aproxima al reino. Estupendo relato ambientado en el universo de otro libro de Connolly, El libro de las cosas perdidas.
Los niños de la doctora Lyall (****). Tres rateros entran a robar a una extraña casa, lo que supondrá un gran error. Muy buen relato.
El Atlas fracturado: cinco fragmentos (*****), está formado por cinco partes que se relacionan entre sí. El tema principal es el libro del título, un libro maligno que trae la desgracia a todo el que entra en contacto con él. Junto al primer relato, quizás de lo mejor de la antología.
Rajahuesos (****). Unos contrabandistas de licor deben parar en un lugar apartado ante una inminente tormenta. Pronto el terror hará aparición. Gran relato.
Sobre La anatomización de un hombre desconocido (1637), de Frans Mier (***). El narrador nos describe del cuadro del título… y más secretos. Buen relato.
Una aparición (***). Un hombre, tras perder a su esposa, vuelve al hotel al que solían ir. Está bien.
Lázaro (***). Lázaro fue resucitado, pero ¿qué fue de él después? Está bien.
Holmes anda suelto: un relato sobre la Biblioteca Privada y Depósito de Libros Caxton (***). Volvemos al entorno del primer relato del libro, aunque con otros protagonistas.
Vivo aquí (***) Ensayo de Connolly que empieza con la anécdota de una mujer mayor que tras una conferencia, se acercó al autor para solicitar consejo sobre una casa maldita de su barrio. Esto sirve al escritor para contarnos cómo empezó a interesarse por el género del terror en la literatura y el cine. Divertido e interesante.
Estos son los doce relatos, más un ensayo sobre los autores favoritos del género del autor, incluidos en ‘Música nocturna’ (Night Music, 2015):
La Biblioteca Privada y Depósito de Libros Caxton (*****). El señor Berger es un solitario funcionario que hace una fantástico descubrimiento cuando sigue a una misteriosa mujer que ha intentado suicidarse. Magnífico relato, uno de los mejores del libro, aunque es fantasía y no terror.
La sangre del cordero (*****). Unos padres esperan la visita de unos enviados del Vaticano, que vienen a examinar a su hija, la cuál parece poseer el don curar. Impresionante relato, de los que dejan huella.
Un sueño invernal (***). Un niño cuyo colegio está junto a un cementerio, ve el rostro de un hombre en la ventana. Breve e interesante.
La lamia (****). Carolyn fue violada, y aunque el culpable fue a juicio, salió libre. Ahora vive con una gran rabia dentro, y con ansías de venganza. Un día recibe una extraña tarjeta de visita donde dice PUEDO AYUDARTE. Muy buen relato.
El Rey Hueco (****). Una extraña neblina se aproxima al reino. Estupendo relato ambientado en el universo de otro libro de Connolly, El libro de las cosas perdidas.
Los niños de la doctora Lyall (****). Tres rateros entran a robar a una extraña casa, lo que supondrá un gran error. Muy buen relato.
El Atlas fracturado: cinco fragmentos (*****), está formado por cinco partes que se relacionan entre sí. El tema principal es el libro del título, un libro maligno que trae la desgracia a todo el que entra en contacto con él. Junto al primer relato, quizás de lo mejor de la antología.
Rajahuesos (****). Unos contrabandistas de licor deben parar en un lugar apartado ante una inminente tormenta. Pronto el terror hará aparición. Gran relato.
Sobre La anatomización de un hombre desconocido (1637), de Frans Mier (***). El narrador nos describe del cuadro del título… y más secretos. Buen relato.
Una aparición (***). Un hombre, tras perder a su esposa, vuelve al hotel al que solían ir. Está bien.
Lázaro (***). Lázaro fue resucitado, pero ¿qué fue de él después? Está bien.
Holmes anda suelto: un relato sobre la Biblioteca Privada y Depósito de Libros Caxton (***). Volvemos al entorno del primer relato del libro, aunque con otros protagonistas.
Vivo aquí (***) Ensayo de Connolly que empieza con la anécdota de una mujer mayor que tras una conferencia, se acercó al autor para solicitar consejo sobre una casa maldita de su barrio. Esto sirve al escritor para contarnos cómo empezó a interesarse por el género del terror en la literatura y el cine. Divertido e interesante.
March 8, 2021
Overall, I would rate this whole collection of short stories by John Connolly 4 stars!
Night Music was a great collection of short stories that involved the supernatural, but also stories about books!
As a bibliophile, I loved reading about strange or horrifying stories about books. The novella in this collection is exactly that!
Also, there's two short stories about how the power of books make their characters come alive. This was by far my favorite of the whole collection with these two short stories that went together!
I’m not going to go into depth with each short story, but I'll rate them separately along with commenting on my favorites.
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository along with Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository were my favorites.
These two tales go together and have the same reoccurring plot theme. - 5 stars!
A Dream of Winter - 4 stars
When I first read this, I thought it was too short and I previously gave it 3 stars.
After reading the acknowledgments in the back of the book by Connolly, he mentions that this was for Shortlist, a magazine that invited writers to produce a short story of exactly 300 words. So because of that, he knocked it out of the park and I’m not sure if I could have done a better job with only writing 300 words!
The Blood of the Lamb - 4.5 to 5 stars
I loved this one and the ending was super creepy!
The Children of Dr. Lyall - 3 stars
The Hollow King - 4 stars
I really liked what was said about this short story in the acknowledgment at the end.
In fact, I kind of wish that I had read the acknowledgments first to understand this short story better.
The Lamia - 3 stars
The Fractured Atlas - 4 to 4.5 stars
This was a novella and was split into five stories that involves an evil and powerful book. The five stories end up going together and I really enjoyed this one!
Lazarus - 3 stars
A Haunting - 3.5 stars
On ‘The Anatomization of an Unknown Man’ (1637) by Frans Mier - 3 to 3.5 stars
Razorshins - 4 stars
I Live Here - 3 to 3.5 stars
This was a short story of John Connolly’s thoughts on what has inspired his writing. It's also a hodgepodge of thoughts on writers, supernatural ideas and what works in books, movies or TV shows.
If you have not read anything by John Connolly, you really need to rectify this.
He’s become one of my favorite writers in the supernatural and horror genre!
Check him out when you get a chance. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Night Music was a great collection of short stories that involved the supernatural, but also stories about books!
As a bibliophile, I loved reading about strange or horrifying stories about books. The novella in this collection is exactly that!
Also, there's two short stories about how the power of books make their characters come alive. This was by far my favorite of the whole collection with these two short stories that went together!
I’m not going to go into depth with each short story, but I'll rate them separately along with commenting on my favorites.
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository along with Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository were my favorites.
These two tales go together and have the same reoccurring plot theme. - 5 stars!
A Dream of Winter - 4 stars
When I first read this, I thought it was too short and I previously gave it 3 stars.
After reading the acknowledgments in the back of the book by Connolly, he mentions that this was for Shortlist, a magazine that invited writers to produce a short story of exactly 300 words. So because of that, he knocked it out of the park and I’m not sure if I could have done a better job with only writing 300 words!
The Blood of the Lamb - 4.5 to 5 stars
I loved this one and the ending was super creepy!
The Children of Dr. Lyall - 3 stars
The Hollow King - 4 stars
I really liked what was said about this short story in the acknowledgment at the end.
In fact, I kind of wish that I had read the acknowledgments first to understand this short story better.
The Lamia - 3 stars
The Fractured Atlas - 4 to 4.5 stars
This was a novella and was split into five stories that involves an evil and powerful book. The five stories end up going together and I really enjoyed this one!
Lazarus - 3 stars
A Haunting - 3.5 stars
On ‘The Anatomization of an Unknown Man’ (1637) by Frans Mier - 3 to 3.5 stars
Razorshins - 4 stars
I Live Here - 3 to 3.5 stars
This was a short story of John Connolly’s thoughts on what has inspired his writing. It's also a hodgepodge of thoughts on writers, supernatural ideas and what works in books, movies or TV shows.
If you have not read anything by John Connolly, you really need to rectify this.
He’s become one of my favorite writers in the supernatural and horror genre!
Check him out when you get a chance. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
January 8, 2016
John Connolly’s “Night Music: Nocturnes Volume 2” gives the reader a high water mark for excellence. This compilation of stories, some short, some not so short arrives eleven years after “Nocturnes” (Volume 1) and should be on every ones reading list.
Mr. Connolly displays his craft of the art of storytelling by supplying 13 well-crafted and amazingly powerful stories. Some are ghost stories, some a fairy tales and some are more unsettling than others, though all are outstanding. A couple of the stories were published in the “Irish Times” so most readers have most likely nut run across them previously.
Although it is difficult to choose my favorite stories in this volume as there is not a below average tale amongst them, I would have to choose two related tales, “The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository” and “Holmes on the Range.” The first, which opens this book, follows a middle aged booklover, Mr. Berger, a retired housing registrar, after he witnesses what looks like a suicide by train, a scene that strongly reminds him of the climactic moments from the novel “Anna Karenina.” When there is no body is recovered, Mr. Berger becomes obsessed with learning the truth behind what must have been a vision, and his investigation leads him to the establishment titled in this story, which includes a host of literature related secrets.
“Holmes on the Range” is a much-shorter sequel to the first story, its title provids a clue as to the cast of characters in this story. The two “Caxton Library” stories are amazing stories of creativity and are in no way overdone.
Another favorite tale in the book is “A Wanderer In Unknown Realms” which may just well be worth the price of the book. This story was previously released as a stand-alone book from Mr. Connolly’s own imprint “Bad Dog Books” in an edition of 750 copies and now commands a price of over one hundred dollars. It’s the story of madness, of obsession, and of books’ power to change the world and the people in it.
Highly Recommended !
This copy is signed by John Connolly.
Mr. Connolly displays his craft of the art of storytelling by supplying 13 well-crafted and amazingly powerful stories. Some are ghost stories, some a fairy tales and some are more unsettling than others, though all are outstanding. A couple of the stories were published in the “Irish Times” so most readers have most likely nut run across them previously.
Although it is difficult to choose my favorite stories in this volume as there is not a below average tale amongst them, I would have to choose two related tales, “The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository” and “Holmes on the Range.” The first, which opens this book, follows a middle aged booklover, Mr. Berger, a retired housing registrar, after he witnesses what looks like a suicide by train, a scene that strongly reminds him of the climactic moments from the novel “Anna Karenina.” When there is no body is recovered, Mr. Berger becomes obsessed with learning the truth behind what must have been a vision, and his investigation leads him to the establishment titled in this story, which includes a host of literature related secrets.
“Holmes on the Range” is a much-shorter sequel to the first story, its title provids a clue as to the cast of characters in this story. The two “Caxton Library” stories are amazing stories of creativity and are in no way overdone.
Another favorite tale in the book is “A Wanderer In Unknown Realms” which may just well be worth the price of the book. This story was previously released as a stand-alone book from Mr. Connolly’s own imprint “Bad Dog Books” in an edition of 750 copies and now commands a price of over one hundred dollars. It’s the story of madness, of obsession, and of books’ power to change the world and the people in it.
Highly Recommended !
This copy is signed by John Connolly.
June 27, 2019
John Connelly's first collection of short stories (Nocturnes) was a great book with many good stories. This book is equally good if not better. It contains both short stories and two longer novellas.
The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, one of the novellas is without a doubt my favorite story in the book. It's about a man that discovers that characters from books end up in The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository for real as soon as the author has died. But only those really famous characters like Sherlock Holmes, Anna Karenina, and Dracula, etc. It was such a tremendous story and the “library” return later on in the book in one of the shorter stories.
There is no Charlie Parker short story within this collection as it was in the last collection, but I did not mind because the stories are so good and so well written that even those that the subject wasn't really my cup of tea got at least 3-star rating.
4.5 stars
I received this copy from Atria/Emily Bestler Books through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!
The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, one of the novellas is without a doubt my favorite story in the book. It's about a man that discovers that characters from books end up in The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository for real as soon as the author has died. But only those really famous characters like Sherlock Holmes, Anna Karenina, and Dracula, etc. It was such a tremendous story and the “library” return later on in the book in one of the shorter stories.
There is no Charlie Parker short story within this collection as it was in the last collection, but I did not mind because the stories are so good and so well written that even those that the subject wasn't really my cup of tea got at least 3-star rating.
4.5 stars
I received this copy from Atria/Emily Bestler Books through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!
October 19, 2015
John Connolly is a man who has the nearly unattainable ability to give "life" to each and every character he creates. The stories in this collection left me literally gaping at the sheer genius of their construction. Regardless of the length of the tale, Connolly is able to create an entire "world" with the strength of his words.
I can point out many authors who have written a handful of extremely memorable short stories, but very rarely have I encountered such a discovery in a single collection of modern works! Just about everything in this collection will mentally take you away and deposit you into their unique "virtual reality".
As if that weren't enough, so many of these stories were so commanding that I found myself going back to them in my own mind time and time again. I can honestly say that--even though some stories affected me more so than others--there is not a single thing I have to be critical about in regards to NIGHT MUSIC.
John Connolly is a true artist at what he does.
Some of my personal favorites include:
--"The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository": A true book lover discovers his own paradise in the secret of Caxton's Private Library. The exquisite language used in this story really transports the reader into a world where virtually anything seems possible. I found this one beautifully haunting and poetic at once, and it is tied with one other story for my favorite in this collection.
--"The Hollow King": I felt this to be one of the more horrific tales in this collection, with an atmosphere that I, nevertheless, found myself irresistibly drawn to.
--"The Lamia": This was another emotionally disturbing tale detailing the life of a rape victim AFTER the occurrence, and a unique opportunity afforded her. . .
--"Razorshins": A story that combines true crime in the Prohibition Era with a local "superstition".
--"Lazarus": A disturbing look at the life of one of the Bible's most famous "miracles".
--"Blood of the Lamb": A girl with Christ-like healing abilities gets a visit from representatives of the Vatican. This is the other story I consider tied for my personal favorite in this book. Although the material this tale is based upon contains a completely different set of emotions and circumstances, it is one that caught me thoroughly off guard, and I am still unable to get it out of my consciousness.
A very memorable array of stories from first to last. This is a book you will want to go back to repeatedly!
Highest Recommendation!
*I received an advance e-copy of this book through NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I can point out many authors who have written a handful of extremely memorable short stories, but very rarely have I encountered such a discovery in a single collection of modern works! Just about everything in this collection will mentally take you away and deposit you into their unique "virtual reality".
As if that weren't enough, so many of these stories were so commanding that I found myself going back to them in my own mind time and time again. I can honestly say that--even though some stories affected me more so than others--there is not a single thing I have to be critical about in regards to NIGHT MUSIC.
John Connolly is a true artist at what he does.
Some of my personal favorites include:
--"The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository": A true book lover discovers his own paradise in the secret of Caxton's Private Library. The exquisite language used in this story really transports the reader into a world where virtually anything seems possible. I found this one beautifully haunting and poetic at once, and it is tied with one other story for my favorite in this collection.
--"The Hollow King": I felt this to be one of the more horrific tales in this collection, with an atmosphere that I, nevertheless, found myself irresistibly drawn to.
--"The Lamia": This was another emotionally disturbing tale detailing the life of a rape victim AFTER the occurrence, and a unique opportunity afforded her. . .
--"Razorshins": A story that combines true crime in the Prohibition Era with a local "superstition".
--"Lazarus": A disturbing look at the life of one of the Bible's most famous "miracles".
--"Blood of the Lamb": A girl with Christ-like healing abilities gets a visit from representatives of the Vatican. This is the other story I consider tied for my personal favorite in this book. Although the material this tale is based upon contains a completely different set of emotions and circumstances, it is one that caught me thoroughly off guard, and I am still unable to get it out of my consciousness.
A very memorable array of stories from first to last. This is a book you will want to go back to repeatedly!
Highest Recommendation!
*I received an advance e-copy of this book through NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
October 31, 2019
This volume contains 13 supernatural short stories, whereby the last one is very short, preceded by a quite comprehensive contemplation of supernatural fiction and the respective authors.
The rest of the stories revolves mostly about books and has a Victorian touch, both of which I highly appreciate.
As any short story collection, this one is a mixed bag, also. The difference in this one is, that some of the stories are good, some are very good and some are excellent.
So altogether this was a tremendously enjoyable Halloween read which I would recommend to anyone having interest in spooky tales.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
The rest of the stories revolves mostly about books and has a Victorian touch, both of which I highly appreciate.
As any short story collection, this one is a mixed bag, also. The difference in this one is, that some of the stories are good, some are very good and some are excellent.
So altogether this was a tremendously enjoyable Halloween read which I would recommend to anyone having interest in spooky tales.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
November 29, 2015
Night Music is the second in John Connolly’s Nocturnes series of dark and chilling short fiction. Contained within are 12 stories, two multiple award winning novellas and a final section, I Live Here where the author talks of his fictional and supernatural influences.
My favourite story, the one that nudged past the others, as Mr Connolly does set the bar pretty high, had to be The Fractured Atlas - Five Fragments. Which is a novella comprising of 5 loosely linked stories concerning a book of power. Of the five the one I enjoyed most was The Wanderer in Unknown Realms where Mr Sorter is hired by a lawyer to investigate the disappearance of his client Lionel Spalding. Spalding had been buying books of the occult, spending large sums of money and the book he sought was The Atlas of Unknown Realms a book of maps, alleged realms beyond our own. The dark atmosphere and slow building tension are perfect, deep and edgy it felt like a much longer piece, which for me is the sign of an excellent short story.
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository is an award winning story where famous characters of fiction come to live when their authors die, discreetly hidden in a small town in the countryside. So when newly arrived Mr Berger sees a woman throw herself into the path of a train, the resulting lack of body and the fact that she mimicked and even looked as Anna Karenina would have looked has him thinking. This sees Mr Berger embark on an obsession with the incident which brings him to our Private Lending Library. A second story Holmes on the Range is also based around the lending library and unexpected events when Arthur Conan Doyle decides to kill off Sherlock and Dr Watson. The idea and premise of the library is liberating and kind of like a heaven for your favourite characters, wonderfully imaginative.
Other stories worth a mention are Razorshins where a creature of nightmare haunts Maine in the prohibition era and sad little tale A Haunting about love and heart breaking loss.
Night Music is an absolutely top notch collection of dark supernatural tales guaranteed to scupper your feelings of calm, from an author right at the top of my list of favourites. I enjoyed reading John Connolly’s thoughts and reminisces as much as the stories themselves and Nocturnes volume 2 comes highly recommended.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
My favourite story, the one that nudged past the others, as Mr Connolly does set the bar pretty high, had to be The Fractured Atlas - Five Fragments. Which is a novella comprising of 5 loosely linked stories concerning a book of power. Of the five the one I enjoyed most was The Wanderer in Unknown Realms where Mr Sorter is hired by a lawyer to investigate the disappearance of his client Lionel Spalding. Spalding had been buying books of the occult, spending large sums of money and the book he sought was The Atlas of Unknown Realms a book of maps, alleged realms beyond our own. The dark atmosphere and slow building tension are perfect, deep and edgy it felt like a much longer piece, which for me is the sign of an excellent short story.
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository is an award winning story where famous characters of fiction come to live when their authors die, discreetly hidden in a small town in the countryside. So when newly arrived Mr Berger sees a woman throw herself into the path of a train, the resulting lack of body and the fact that she mimicked and even looked as Anna Karenina would have looked has him thinking. This sees Mr Berger embark on an obsession with the incident which brings him to our Private Lending Library. A second story Holmes on the Range is also based around the lending library and unexpected events when Arthur Conan Doyle decides to kill off Sherlock and Dr Watson. The idea and premise of the library is liberating and kind of like a heaven for your favourite characters, wonderfully imaginative.
Other stories worth a mention are Razorshins where a creature of nightmare haunts Maine in the prohibition era and sad little tale A Haunting about love and heart breaking loss.
Night Music is an absolutely top notch collection of dark supernatural tales guaranteed to scupper your feelings of calm, from an author right at the top of my list of favourites. I enjoyed reading John Connolly’s thoughts and reminisces as much as the stories themselves and Nocturnes volume 2 comes highly recommended.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
November 2, 2015
A new John Connolly book is always an event, and his latest collection is no exception.
Having already proven himself a master of Dark Fiction, it goes without saying that the short tales of horror here are all gems....dark, compelling and powerful journeys into the shadows that will thrill and chill any horror fan. Connolly's homage to the sub-genre of forbidden texts, The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments alone is worth the price of admission.
But.....the crown jewels of this collection are something completely different, unexpected gifts for the book lovers in us all.
With the novella, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, and it's companion short story, Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, Connolly has outdone himself, creating a special place where the characters of literature appear once their creators have passed away. In my opinion, the very best stories, in any genre, are works of imagination and originality, true classics inspire the imaginations of their readers. These are true classics, in every sense of the word....a heartfelt gift from Mr. Connolly, not only to the authors and books that inspired him, but to every lover of books...giving us a place that we would give anything to visit....and that fills our dreams, wondering who else may be wandering about there. I will be returning to these stories often, as often as I've returned to The Caxton in my mind.
And finally, we come to I Live Here, an autobiographical essay where Mr. Connolly shares the books and authors that inspired him, told with a delightful candor, humor and even a chill from unexpected places.
It goes without saying, my highest possible recommendation.
This was an eARC from Netgalley, offered in exchange for an honest review.
Having already proven himself a master of Dark Fiction, it goes without saying that the short tales of horror here are all gems....dark, compelling and powerful journeys into the shadows that will thrill and chill any horror fan. Connolly's homage to the sub-genre of forbidden texts, The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments alone is worth the price of admission.
But.....the crown jewels of this collection are something completely different, unexpected gifts for the book lovers in us all.
With the novella, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, and it's companion short story, Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, Connolly has outdone himself, creating a special place where the characters of literature appear once their creators have passed away. In my opinion, the very best stories, in any genre, are works of imagination and originality, true classics inspire the imaginations of their readers. These are true classics, in every sense of the word....a heartfelt gift from Mr. Connolly, not only to the authors and books that inspired him, but to every lover of books...giving us a place that we would give anything to visit....and that fills our dreams, wondering who else may be wandering about there. I will be returning to these stories often, as often as I've returned to The Caxton in my mind.
And finally, we come to I Live Here, an autobiographical essay where Mr. Connolly shares the books and authors that inspired him, told with a delightful candor, humor and even a chill from unexpected places.
It goes without saying, my highest possible recommendation.
This was an eARC from Netgalley, offered in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2024
5* за "Счупеният атлас – пет фрагмента". Много добро, страховито и чудесно изпипано! Атмосферата е подобна на тази от приключенията на Шерлок Холмс, но съчетана с ужасиите, сътворени от Джак Изкормвача!
4* за есето "Тук живея аз" - винаги е интересно да се прочете, какво е формирало писателя преди да стане такъв.
Останалото съдържание клони към посредствено, с малки изключения.
4* за есето "Тук живея аз" - винаги е интересно да се прочете, какво е формирало писателя преди да стане такъв.
Останалото съдържание клони към посредствено, с малки изключения.
October 24, 2015
2 novellas and several shorts highlight John Connolly’s writing skills with both the longer novella and the short story formats. The guy can flat out tell a story no matter what the length and I truly enjoyed every one of these stories.
There is an old school flavor to a few of these and if you read the closing autobiographical essay “I Live Here” you’ll know why. Expertly done, as I have come to expect from Mr. Connolly. If you haven’t read him before, then you better start cracking. You have some work to do… Be sure not to miss out on the Parker series either. Trust me. You will not regret it.
*I received an advanced copy of this release from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is an old school flavor to a few of these and if you read the closing autobiographical essay “I Live Here” you’ll know why. Expertly done, as I have come to expect from Mr. Connolly. If you haven’t read him before, then you better start cracking. You have some work to do… Be sure not to miss out on the Parker series either. Trust me. You will not regret it.
*I received an advanced copy of this release from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2020
This was very disappointing. Unlike with the first volume the stories seem haphazardly thrown together. Besides the five parts that make up The Fractured Atlas, there's no point to this one. And honestly he should have just done a novella or something if he wanted to focus on that. And speaking of The Fractured Atlas, the beginnings of the thing made zero sense and it lost more of its mysterious origins the more that Connelly kept trying to over explain things. Felt a bit like Cthulhu mythology to me and I was just disappointed there was nothing new or fresh there.
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (5 stars)-I liked the idea of an library that expands that allows literary characters to live there. I am going to argue though that I liked Anna Karenina the way it originally ended.
The Blood of the Lamb (5 stars)-I liked this story since it really deals with a subject that allowed it to feel a bit Charlie Parkishish. Priests come to a small village where a young girl is able to do miracles. Who is she exactly? Is she good or evil. I liked the ending on this one.
A Dream of Winter (3 stars)-Just one page. It's okay, but kind of a letdown after the prior story.
The Lamia (5 stars)-A woman who was raped is given an interesting proposition. This one definitely makes you think. I liked how the tale unwound (pun intended).
The Hollow King (3.5 stars)-It had a weird ending that didn't fit at all. It also seemed to be echoing Connolly's other work The Book of Lost Things.
The Children of Dr. Lyall (2 stars)-I don't think Connolly meant to write an anti-abortion (or forced birth) story, but here we go.
The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments: The Dread and Fear of Kings (3 stars)-This was beyond confusing. It starts off in the 1500s though.
The Djinn (3 stars)-We follow a book seller named Maggs in this one who gets more than he bargained for when he finds the Fractured Atlas.
Mud (2 stars)-This just went on and on.
The Wanderer in Unknown Realms (2.5 stars)-We get our first glimpse of Quayle here. That's probably the only interesting thing. The whole story was just a slow letdown. It read as endless to me as I continued and it was a struggle to finish.
And in Darkness Shall We Dwell (1 star)-Honestly the stories all together are just the worst parts of Connolly for me. Sometimes he goes on and on in the Charlie Parker books and you want him to just get to the point. This 5 stories added nothing to the mythos behind The Fractured Atlas. It just pops into being and then people have terrible fortunes befall them.
Razorshins (3 stars)-Kind of a twist on a Wendigo. It really fit the supposed atmosphere of this book a bit better than some of the other stories. I just still found it kind of dry though.
On the Anatomization of an Unknown Man (1637) by Frans Mier (1 stars)-I honestly did not recall reading this story and just realized I must have when writing my review.
A Haunting (2.5 stars)-This was an interesting premise. A man goes to a hotel to celebrate he and his late wife's anniversary. But once again it felt overly written. It didn't hit me the way it should have. Or I was just annoyed at this point and wanted to be done.
Lazarus (2 stars)-Wow. So this was dark.
Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (2 stars)-The first story was great. Revisiting the library should have been fun. But this was a slog to get through. And there's no sense of urgency here at all no matter how Connolly writes it.
I Live Here (1 star)-A true story told by Connolly. This went all over the place I am afraid. We're supposed to be reading about a house that a woman tells Connolly about that she believes is haunted. But then the story jumps around into a lot of things such as the books on Connolly's shelf as a kid and his thoughts about them. Reading about an author's notes on Frankenstein is probably worse than reading that book. FYI, I could not get through Frankenstein. And there are even notes in this story and I just could not. The book ends on a whimper which is a shame.
The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (5 stars)-I liked the idea of an library that expands that allows literary characters to live there. I am going to argue though that I liked Anna Karenina the way it originally ended.
The Blood of the Lamb (5 stars)-I liked this story since it really deals with a subject that allowed it to feel a bit Charlie Parkishish. Priests come to a small village where a young girl is able to do miracles. Who is she exactly? Is she good or evil. I liked the ending on this one.
A Dream of Winter (3 stars)-Just one page. It's okay, but kind of a letdown after the prior story.
The Lamia (5 stars)-A woman who was raped is given an interesting proposition. This one definitely makes you think. I liked how the tale unwound (pun intended).
The Hollow King (3.5 stars)-It had a weird ending that didn't fit at all. It also seemed to be echoing Connolly's other work The Book of Lost Things.
The Children of Dr. Lyall (2 stars)-I don't think Connolly meant to write an anti-abortion (or forced birth) story, but here we go.
The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments: The Dread and Fear of Kings (3 stars)-This was beyond confusing. It starts off in the 1500s though.
The Djinn (3 stars)-We follow a book seller named Maggs in this one who gets more than he bargained for when he finds the Fractured Atlas.
Mud (2 stars)-This just went on and on.
The Wanderer in Unknown Realms (2.5 stars)-We get our first glimpse of Quayle here. That's probably the only interesting thing. The whole story was just a slow letdown. It read as endless to me as I continued and it was a struggle to finish.
And in Darkness Shall We Dwell (1 star)-Honestly the stories all together are just the worst parts of Connolly for me. Sometimes he goes on and on in the Charlie Parker books and you want him to just get to the point. This 5 stories added nothing to the mythos behind The Fractured Atlas. It just pops into being and then people have terrible fortunes befall them.
Razorshins (3 stars)-Kind of a twist on a Wendigo. It really fit the supposed atmosphere of this book a bit better than some of the other stories. I just still found it kind of dry though.
On the Anatomization of an Unknown Man (1637) by Frans Mier (1 stars)-I honestly did not recall reading this story and just realized I must have when writing my review.
A Haunting (2.5 stars)-This was an interesting premise. A man goes to a hotel to celebrate he and his late wife's anniversary. But once again it felt overly written. It didn't hit me the way it should have. Or I was just annoyed at this point and wanted to be done.
Lazarus (2 stars)-Wow. So this was dark.
Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (2 stars)-The first story was great. Revisiting the library should have been fun. But this was a slog to get through. And there's no sense of urgency here at all no matter how Connolly writes it.
I Live Here (1 star)-A true story told by Connolly. This went all over the place I am afraid. We're supposed to be reading about a house that a woman tells Connolly about that she believes is haunted. But then the story jumps around into a lot of things such as the books on Connolly's shelf as a kid and his thoughts about them. Reading about an author's notes on Frankenstein is probably worse than reading that book. FYI, I could not get through Frankenstein. And there are even notes in this story and I just could not. The book ends on a whimper which is a shame.
November 12, 2018
Разкошна селекция от страховити истории, която затвърди убеждението ми, че Джон Конъли е един от най-добрите съвременни разказвачи в спекулативните жанрове и е поредният ярък пример за талантлив автор от Острова, най-общо казано, редом с Дейвид Гемел, Клайв Баркър, Майкъл Муркок, Саймън Грийн, Джоан К. Роулинг, Джо Абъркромби и пр., и пр. Селекцията съдържа 12 художествени творби, седмата от които - "Счупеният атлас" - пет фрагмента, както подсказва името ѝ, се състои от пет отделни части, условно свързани с повече или по-малко директни препратки, та да може да се разглежда и като кратък цикличен роман. Тринадесетото произведение - есето "Тук живея аз" - пък ми достави непосредствено удоволствие с авторовите разсъждения относно хорър жанра, подобно на Кралския Злокобен танц, скалпиран неотдавна.
Сега по няколко думи за разказите/новелите.
1. "Частната библиотека "Какстън" със заемна и книгохранилище" в превода на радостин Желев присъства на родния пазар и с превода на Венцислав Божилов - Частна заемна библиотека и книгохранилище „Какстън“ в сладкото джобно издание на "Бард" от серията "Мистериозно-виртуозно". Тази новела - едно от най-популярните и награждавани произведения на Джон Конъли (отвлякла е "Едгар" през 2014). Представете си една необятна библиотека, която съдържа само първи издания на книгите и въплътената колективна представа на хората за най-популярните литературни герои. Няма да коментирам по-подробно сюжета, защото ще убия изненадата от хитроумно сътворената история, в която Джон Конъли с много чувство за хумор отдава почит на свои любими творци, литературни герои и на любовта си към четенето изобщо.
2. "Кръвта на агнеца" - трима свещеници от Ватикана отсядат в дома на обикновено католическо семейство, за да разследват "чудеса", приписвани на детето им - момиче, започнали в деня на неговото първо причастие. Майсторско изпълнение, макар да остави усещането, че може да е част от нещо по-голямо, мхм.
3. "Сън за зима" - "миниатюра" от 300 думи, написана по покана на сп. "Шортлист" за неговия бр. № 300. Ясно е, че обемът не предполага някакво особено разгръщане на фантазията на автора, ама... биваше.
4. "Ламията" - ламѝя (от. гр. "поглъщаща") - красива девойка, дъщеря на Бел, любимка на Зевс, превърната от ревнивата Хера в грозотия, която погубила най-напред собствените си деца. По-късно съществували много ламѝи - грозни женски същества, подобни на вампир, които привличали по особен начин деца, най-вече красиви младежи, и им изпивали кръвта. Разкошна история за възмездие!
5. "Мнимият крал" - кратка, но много зловеща приказка, каквито знаем, че Конъли умее да пише. Все пак сме чели Книга за изгубените неща. Харесах!
6. "Рожбите на доктор Лайъл" - мародери, вилнеещи в Лондон през Втората световна война попадат в неправилния дом. Хубаво начало, с леко омотан (лично мнение) финал.
7. "СЧУПЕНИЯТ АТЛАС" - ПЕТ ФРАГМЕНТА
І. "Страшилище за кралете"
ІІ. "Джинът"
ІІІ. "Кал"
ІV. Скитник в непознати селения
V. И ще живеем в мрак
Този цикъл безспорно е "черешката на тортата" в сборника! През 2013 "Скитника" излиза като самостоятелно издание, а по-късно авторът явно решава да поработи още върху темите, заложени в него и да го свърже с три предхождащи го истории и една заключителна. Препрочетох повестта с удоволствие (по памет беше ми харесала още първия път), но сега сюжетът, завъртян около т.нар. "Атлас регнорум инкогнитум" ("Атлас на непознатите земи, "Атлас на географските невероятности" или "Счупеният атлас") придоби съвсем други измерения и според личните ми усещания на тези страници Хауърд Лъвкрафт се срещна с Артуро Перес-Реверте и Клайв Баркър по възможно най-добрия начин. Поклон, Джон!
8. "Острокрак" - годините на "сухия режим", въплътени в история от зловещия, покрит с гори щат Мейн. Разкошотия.
9. За "Дисекция на неизвестен мъж" (1637) на Франс Мийър" - кратка злокобна импресия, която доволно ми хареса и ме наведе на мисли пак към Перес-Реверте и любимия ми роман Фламандският майстор
10. "Натрапчиво чувство" - романтична история, средна хубост.
11. "Лазар" - разказ с библейска тематика, средна хубост.
12. "Холмс се сдобива с дом: една история за частната библиотека "Какстън" със заемна и книгохранилище" - благина, разказана с чувство за хумор, вече го споменах, въртяща се около историята с "убийството" на Шерлок Холмс от неговия създател и вълната на недоволство, което това предизвиква у читателите.
Крайна оценка - ПЕТ ЗВЕЗДИ!!!
Сега по няколко думи за разказите/новелите.
1. "Частната библиотека "Какстън" със заемна и книгохранилище" в превода на радостин Желев присъства на родния пазар и с превода на Венцислав Божилов - Частна заемна библиотека и книгохранилище „Какстън“ в сладкото джобно издание на "Бард" от серията "Мистериозно-виртуозно". Тази новела - едно от най-популярните и награждавани произведения на Джон Конъли (отвлякла е "Едгар" през 2014). Представете си една необятна библиотека, която съдържа само първи издания на книгите и въплътената колективна представа на хората за най-популярните литературни герои. Няма да коментирам по-подробно сюжета, защото ще убия изненадата от хитроумно сътворената история, в която Джон Конъли с много чувство за хумор отдава почит на свои любими творци, литературни герои и на любовта си към четенето изобщо.
2. "Кръвта на агнеца" - трима свещеници от Ватикана отсядат в дома на обикновено католическо семейство, за да разследват "чудеса", приписвани на детето им - момиче, започнали в деня на неговото първо причастие. Майсторско изпълнение, макар да остави усещането, че може да е част от нещо по-голямо, мхм.
3. "Сън за зима" - "миниатюра" от 300 думи, написана по покана на сп. "Шортлист" за неговия бр. № 300. Ясно е, че обемът не предполага някакво особено разгръщане на фантазията на автора, ама... биваше.
4. "Ламията" - ламѝя (от. гр. "поглъщаща") - красива девойка, дъщеря на Бел, любимка на Зевс, превърната от ревнивата Хера в грозотия, която погубила най-напред собствените си деца. По-късно съществували много ламѝи - грозни женски същества, подобни на вампир, които привличали по особен начин деца, най-вече красиви младежи, и им изпивали кръвта. Разкошна история за възмездие!
5. "Мнимият крал" - кратка, но много зловеща приказка, каквито знаем, че Конъли умее да пише. Все пак сме чели Книга за изгубените неща. Харесах!
6. "Рожбите на доктор Лайъл" - мародери, вилнеещи в Лондон през Втората световна война попадат в неправилния дом. Хубаво начало, с леко омотан (лично мнение) финал.
7. "СЧУПЕНИЯТ АТЛАС" - ПЕТ ФРАГМЕНТА
І. "Страшилище за кралете"
ІІ. "Джинът"
ІІІ. "Кал"
ІV. Скитник в непознати селения
V. И ще живеем в мрак
Този цикъл безспорно е "черешката на тортата" в сборника! През 2013 "Скитника" излиза като самостоятелно издание, а по-късно авторът явно решава да поработи още върху темите, заложени в него и да го свърже с три предхождащи го истории и една заключителна. Препрочетох повестта с удоволствие (по памет беше ми харесала още първия път), но сега сюжетът, завъртян около т.нар. "Атлас регнорум инкогнитум" ("Атлас на непознатите земи, "Атлас на географските невероятности" или "Счупеният атлас") придоби съвсем други измерения и според личните ми усещания на тези страници Хауърд Лъвкрафт се срещна с Артуро Перес-Реверте и Клайв Баркър по възможно най-добрия начин. Поклон, Джон!
8. "Острокрак" - годините на "сухия режим", въплътени в история от зловещия, покрит с гори щат Мейн. Разкошотия.
9. За "Дисекция на неизвестен мъж" (1637) на Франс Мийър" - кратка злокобна импресия, която доволно ми хареса и ме наведе на мисли пак към Перес-Реверте и любимия ми роман Фламандският майстор
10. "Натрапчиво чувство" - романтична история, средна хубост.
11. "Лазар" - разказ с библейска тематика, средна хубост.
12. "Холмс се сдобива с дом: една история за частната библиотека "Какстън" със заемна и книгохранилище" - благина, разказана с чувство за хумор, вече го споменах, въртяща се около историята с "убийството" на Шерлок Холмс от неговия създател и вълната на недоволство, което това предизвиква у читателите.
Крайна оценка - ПЕТ ЗВЕЗДИ!!!
December 3, 2015
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Right up front I have to admit that I am a huge fan of John Connolly. For me he is right up there with Robert McCammon, Richard Matheson and Stephen King as writers of dark fiction. I wouldn’t call any of them horror writers per se, although they don’t seem particularly offended by it as horror is probably their first literary love anyway. What separates these giants, in my opinion, is that their work, while horrifying at times, never fails to dig deeper into the humanity of the situation. Their characters are complex, often conflicted, and the stories are deep in meaning and emotional impact. Plus, they propel their stories forward in such a way that I can’t help but read them in as few sittings as possible.
I love Connolly’s Charlie Parker series and recommend The Book of Lost Things to anyone I find, but I have limited experience with his short stories so I was very interested to read Night Music. Given that many of these stories are interrelated and some of them novella length, this isn’t really a traditional short story collection—it has a cohesiveness that made it even more enjoyable for me.
The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository and its companion piece Holmes on the Range show that Connolly is not only a mature writer—but like the greats mentioned above, at heart he is still that young man that fell in love with the books he read in his youth. These two stories are homages to great literary characters, and to their writers. I don’t want to spoil even a word of these two stories so I will just say that if you love literature and great characters from Dickens, Doyle etc. these two stories are at times hilarious, and at all times tremendously clever and just plain fun to read.
The Fractured Atlas stories, which tell of a diabolical and hopefully mythical book, is another connected set of tales that have an overarching Lovecraftian type of theme to them. Each story provides a different perspective, and often different time frame, to the overall story of the book. And it is a great story that emerges like peeling the skin off of an onion.
There are a couple of classic style stories such as “Razorshins” and “The Lamia” as well as some that travel unusual territory like the brilliant bit of heresy “Lazarus.” While on the subject of heresy, I have to give a shout out to “The Blood of the Lamb” which is one of the most chilling stories that I have read in a long time. The ending is like stepping into an elevator shaft.
Connolly is very generous in that all of the stories are annotated and give you the details on how they came to be, because as we are told, songs and short stories are not written, they are already there and are merely discovered.
In “I Live Here,” Connolly treats the reader to an extended, and often hilarious, autobiographical section in which he mentions the authors and works that impacted him, as well as, perhaps as interestingly, those that didn’t. I thoroughly enjoyed this section. It felt like the wizard came out from behind the curtain, pulled up a chair, and proceeding to tell you how all of the magic worked---or at least where it came from. However, don’t get too comfortable because “I Live Here” will give you chills as you are asked quite seriously are there people assigned to guard actual dangerous places so that people stay away? What if Hill House (or Hell House for that matter) was in your neighborhood? Would you want to visit? Could you stop yourself?
Of course 5 stars. It’s Connolly so it is brilliant.
Right up front I have to admit that I am a huge fan of John Connolly. For me he is right up there with Robert McCammon, Richard Matheson and Stephen King as writers of dark fiction. I wouldn’t call any of them horror writers per se, although they don’t seem particularly offended by it as horror is probably their first literary love anyway. What separates these giants, in my opinion, is that their work, while horrifying at times, never fails to dig deeper into the humanity of the situation. Their characters are complex, often conflicted, and the stories are deep in meaning and emotional impact. Plus, they propel their stories forward in such a way that I can’t help but read them in as few sittings as possible.
I love Connolly’s Charlie Parker series and recommend The Book of Lost Things to anyone I find, but I have limited experience with his short stories so I was very interested to read Night Music. Given that many of these stories are interrelated and some of them novella length, this isn’t really a traditional short story collection—it has a cohesiveness that made it even more enjoyable for me.
The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository and its companion piece Holmes on the Range show that Connolly is not only a mature writer—but like the greats mentioned above, at heart he is still that young man that fell in love with the books he read in his youth. These two stories are homages to great literary characters, and to their writers. I don’t want to spoil even a word of these two stories so I will just say that if you love literature and great characters from Dickens, Doyle etc. these two stories are at times hilarious, and at all times tremendously clever and just plain fun to read.
The Fractured Atlas stories, which tell of a diabolical and hopefully mythical book, is another connected set of tales that have an overarching Lovecraftian type of theme to them. Each story provides a different perspective, and often different time frame, to the overall story of the book. And it is a great story that emerges like peeling the skin off of an onion.
There are a couple of classic style stories such as “Razorshins” and “The Lamia” as well as some that travel unusual territory like the brilliant bit of heresy “Lazarus.” While on the subject of heresy, I have to give a shout out to “The Blood of the Lamb” which is one of the most chilling stories that I have read in a long time. The ending is like stepping into an elevator shaft.
Connolly is very generous in that all of the stories are annotated and give you the details on how they came to be, because as we are told, songs and short stories are not written, they are already there and are merely discovered.
In “I Live Here,” Connolly treats the reader to an extended, and often hilarious, autobiographical section in which he mentions the authors and works that impacted him, as well as, perhaps as interestingly, those that didn’t. I thoroughly enjoyed this section. It felt like the wizard came out from behind the curtain, pulled up a chair, and proceeding to tell you how all of the magic worked---or at least where it came from. However, don’t get too comfortable because “I Live Here” will give you chills as you are asked quite seriously are there people assigned to guard actual dangerous places so that people stay away? What if Hill House (or Hell House for that matter) was in your neighborhood? Would you want to visit? Could you stop yourself?
Of course 5 stars. It’s Connolly so it is brilliant.
September 21, 2015
It’s hard to believe actually that it’s been that long since Nocturnes – I’m a fan of short stories and novella’s, they fill in reading gaps and can be particularly beautiful and intriguing to read when in the right hands and of course they are definitely in the right hands here.
Night Music contains a selection of short haunting stories and two longer novella’s – one of which, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, has become one of my favourite tales of all time. I actually read it twice. In fact I might read it again after writing this review…
The collection definitely has something for everyone, including an essay that gives us some insight into the mind of the author, one of those times I think gosh, he should write some non fiction too – These read very differently to the Parker novels – but in a way are all the more brilliant for it, another string to the bow of an extraordinarily talented writer.
Connolly’s prose is intuitive and absorbing, taking the reader to the dark side and enveloping them in a different world – I am hoping that we don’t have to wait another decade for more like this – a bit of a masterclass in the art of the short story, whilst this author and Mr King are still writing them, I don’t think we need fear the death of the format.
Fantastic. Highly Recommended.
Night Music contains a selection of short haunting stories and two longer novella’s – one of which, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, has become one of my favourite tales of all time. I actually read it twice. In fact I might read it again after writing this review…
The collection definitely has something for everyone, including an essay that gives us some insight into the mind of the author, one of those times I think gosh, he should write some non fiction too – These read very differently to the Parker novels – but in a way are all the more brilliant for it, another string to the bow of an extraordinarily talented writer.
Connolly’s prose is intuitive and absorbing, taking the reader to the dark side and enveloping them in a different world – I am hoping that we don’t have to wait another decade for more like this – a bit of a masterclass in the art of the short story, whilst this author and Mr King are still writing them, I don’t think we need fear the death of the format.
Fantastic. Highly Recommended.
December 25, 2024
Night Music – A lucky 13 short stories. Well hell, I liked it already.
1 - The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository – What a wonderful story. Absorbingly beautiful, different and unexpected.
2 - The Blood of the Lamb – Suspenseful story about a girl with powers which the Vatican has become interested in. Great ending but I was a little unsure of exactly what happened.
3 - A Dream of Winter – Very short, kind of cool but it ended exactly as I expected.
4 - The Lamia – Very creepy with an interesting ending.
5 - The Hollow King: From the Universe of The Book of Lost Things – That was a book of Mr. Connolly’s that I didn’t really care for, so it probably affected my thoughts on this story. And I didn’t care about this story.
6 - The Children of Dr. Lyall – This was just a weird story.
7 - The Fractured Atlas – Five Fragments – Pretty cool story. Very long and some parts were downright boring but overall, very good. Lawyer Quayle also appears in some of the Charlie Parker books.
8 - Razorshins – Two thumbs down.
9 - On The Anatomization of an Unknown Man (1637) by Frans Miller – Lame
10 - A Haunting – Third nonsensical story in a row.
11 - Lazarus – Seemed like something I’ve read before. I don’t get the ending.
12 - Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository – I’ve never been a Sherlock Holmes fan, but this was a very cool story. Very clever.
13 - I Live Here – This last bit is Mr. Connolly having a discussion with us readers. He talks about books, his father, childhood, movies, etc. I must say I always enjoy hearing his thoughts (very witty at times) about whatever is on his mind. What a lovely fellow.
Some very good stories and several misses. I’d say 3.5 for my rating, but because it’s John Connolly, I will push it up to a 4 stars and hell, I think it does deserve 4 stars!
1 - The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository – What a wonderful story. Absorbingly beautiful, different and unexpected.
2 - The Blood of the Lamb – Suspenseful story about a girl with powers which the Vatican has become interested in. Great ending but I was a little unsure of exactly what happened.
3 - A Dream of Winter – Very short, kind of cool but it ended exactly as I expected.
4 - The Lamia – Very creepy with an interesting ending.
5 - The Hollow King: From the Universe of The Book of Lost Things – That was a book of Mr. Connolly’s that I didn’t really care for, so it probably affected my thoughts on this story. And I didn’t care about this story.
6 - The Children of Dr. Lyall – This was just a weird story.
7 - The Fractured Atlas – Five Fragments – Pretty cool story. Very long and some parts were downright boring but overall, very good. Lawyer Quayle also appears in some of the Charlie Parker books.
8 - Razorshins – Two thumbs down.
9 - On The Anatomization of an Unknown Man (1637) by Frans Miller – Lame
10 - A Haunting – Third nonsensical story in a row.
11 - Lazarus – Seemed like something I’ve read before. I don’t get the ending.
12 - Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository – I’ve never been a Sherlock Holmes fan, but this was a very cool story. Very clever.
13 - I Live Here – This last bit is Mr. Connolly having a discussion with us readers. He talks about books, his father, childhood, movies, etc. I must say I always enjoy hearing his thoughts (very witty at times) about whatever is on his mind. What a lovely fellow.
Some very good stories and several misses. I’d say 3.5 for my rating, but because it’s John Connolly, I will push it up to a 4 stars and hell, I think it does deserve 4 stars!
September 19, 2015
Though I seem to have abandoned the Charlie Parker series, which despite being thoroughly excellent just went on and on and on, this collection was still something on my radar. Connolly is, after all, a very talented author. And sure enough, Night Music showcases that talent thoroughly, although not without some caveats. The book is 9/10th fiction and 1/10th essay on how that fiction came to be, not story introductions per se, but instead a glimpse into Connolly's psyche to help the readers understand the inspirations, motivations and ideas behind the words. One doesn't need to read the essay to understand that Connolly's main inspiration (with notable exception of the most popular modern genre author) is classic horror of bygone days, namely M.R.James. In fact Night Music stories read very much like old time pastiches in pacing and manner and subject matter, albeit considerably more readable. Books are, of course, a thing of personal preference and personally I don't care much for classic horror, I find it quite slow and frequently tedious and plodding. Connolly obviously loves them enough to emulate them. If M.R.James is your idea of a good read, you'll love Night Music passionately. If not, there is a good chance you'll still love it or at least like and appreciate it as I did. There is much to admire and enjoy here, although none as much as the Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, which is an absolute literary delight, a bibliophile's dream and one of the best fictional places of its kind since Ruiz Zafon's. The companion story (the two of them bookending the collection) is also absolutely terrific and one of the most original take on the famous detective oeuvre out there. Very, very clever, both. The rest of the stories are good, solid, but not amazing. The cosmic horror novella, for example, is thoroughly well written, original, creative, but it reads so very slowly. The two aforementioned stories are really the stars of the show here. The essay part is interesting, it makes one think Connolly might have a future in nonfiction writing. He's witty, erudite, highly opinionated (and quite so) and funny. Personally I'm not sure one should really get to know the creative types behind the creations to maintain the impartial, pure enjoyment of those creations, but alas, the essay was read and now I have a fair idea of Connolly as a person. So there it is, along with some decent critical analysis of classic horror. Pretty good read, this anthology, although one that felt very long, certainly longer than page count warranted. Much to enjoy for Connolly's fans & genre aficionados. Recommended.
January 16, 2016
John Connolly is best known for his Charlie Parker series of books, but he likes to take time off now and then and write even darker fiction. For fans of the really dark stuff that's a real treat as Connolly is arguably one of the best writers of fiction in the world today.
As the title says, NIGHT MUSIC is the second volume of short stories that he has published with Simon & Schuster/Atria Books. There are two novella length stories, one short, dark essay; the rest are "regular" (if you will) short stories. They run the gamut...there are stories about books, mythical creatures, even a fairy tale! I love when Connolly writes fairy tales...sigh...
But, whatever you like to read, I will say that these are different than the Parker series. So take a break with John and see what he like to do in his off time. I had a blast. I hope you enjoy it too.
I received my copy of NIGHT MUSIC: NOCTURNES VOLUME 2 from Atria Books: A division of Simon & Schuster in exchange for my review.
As the title says, NIGHT MUSIC is the second volume of short stories that he has published with Simon & Schuster/Atria Books. There are two novella length stories, one short, dark essay; the rest are "regular" (if you will) short stories. They run the gamut...there are stories about books, mythical creatures, even a fairy tale! I love when Connolly writes fairy tales...sigh...
But, whatever you like to read, I will say that these are different than the Parker series. So take a break with John and see what he like to do in his off time. I had a blast. I hope you enjoy it too.
I received my copy of NIGHT MUSIC: NOCTURNES VOLUME 2 from Atria Books: A division of Simon & Schuster in exchange for my review.
April 14, 2020
Un libro de relatos compuesto por varios relatos con un nexo común el terror en unos y lo sobrenatural en otros. Algunos me han gustado bastante, sobre todo los de la biblioteca, ojalá existiera. Es un libro muy entretenido que recomiendo, lo puedes mezclar con otras lecturas ya que los relatos se leen muy bien. Leeré más cosas suyas sin duda.
August 16, 2016
Superb collection of off-beat and unusual tales, all exquisitely imaginative.
'The Fractured Atlas - Five Fragments' would have to be my favourite, what with it being about the intangible evil of an ancient book (what reader of horror fiction couldn't love that idea?) And the five tales that make up the whole are so very cleverly assembled into one, fiendish whole. 'The Djinn' was the stand-out fragment for me, and I adored the character Eliza Dunwidge, the occult book dealer.
( 'What have you brought with you, Maggs? came the voice, muffled but still understandable from the other side of the door.
'A book, Miss' he said. 'It's an odd one'.
'It's a dangerous one, Maggs. I can smell it. I can hear it. It whispers. You ought not to have come to me with it'.)
And then, of course, my reason for buying the book in the first place; 'The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository'. I couldn't resist the appeal of a story about a library where famed literary characters 'retire' upon their authors' demise. It's one of those ideas you can't believe hasn't been done before (perhaps it has, but I'd wager never done this well), and does make you wonder what your own favourite characters get up to if they suddenly sprang into existence? (But not Eliza Dunwidge - the real world doesn't need one of her!)
Overall this was a fantastic collection and Connolly is fast becoming a firm new favourite of mine.
'The Fractured Atlas - Five Fragments' would have to be my favourite, what with it being about the intangible evil of an ancient book (what reader of horror fiction couldn't love that idea?) And the five tales that make up the whole are so very cleverly assembled into one, fiendish whole. 'The Djinn' was the stand-out fragment for me, and I adored the character Eliza Dunwidge, the occult book dealer.
( 'What have you brought with you, Maggs? came the voice, muffled but still understandable from the other side of the door.
'A book, Miss' he said. 'It's an odd one'.
'It's a dangerous one, Maggs. I can smell it. I can hear it. It whispers. You ought not to have come to me with it'.)
And then, of course, my reason for buying the book in the first place; 'The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository'. I couldn't resist the appeal of a story about a library where famed literary characters 'retire' upon their authors' demise. It's one of those ideas you can't believe hasn't been done before (perhaps it has, but I'd wager never done this well), and does make you wonder what your own favourite characters get up to if they suddenly sprang into existence? (But not Eliza Dunwidge - the real world doesn't need one of her!)
Overall this was a fantastic collection and Connolly is fast becoming a firm new favourite of mine.
pass
April 24, 2017What the bobbins is this. The first story reads like it was written by a clever 14yo and the second one has switched POV back and forth about five times in a page and a half. I normally love Connolly's work, as well. DNF in favour of something that's been edited.
Edit: Apparently the 14yo-type story is multi award winning and now I'm really confused. It's about the idea that popular characters from literature come alive, their life dictated by their book, and if you change the original book you change all the copies in the world. That's not exactly a brand-new never-before-conceived bit of spec fic, is it? Which, fine, not all ideas have to be new, it's all in the treatment. But there's nothing new or unexpected in the treatment here--to absolutely nobody's surprise the hero falls in love with a pretty tragic female character and changes her ending--and while it's perfectly readable and very nicely written in itself, why you'd put it at the start of a collection, still less give it an award, I could not say.
Disappointing.
Edit: Apparently the 14yo-type story is multi award winning and now I'm really confused. It's about the idea that popular characters from literature come alive, their life dictated by their book, and if you change the original book you change all the copies in the world. That's not exactly a brand-new never-before-conceived bit of spec fic, is it? Which, fine, not all ideas have to be new, it's all in the treatment. But there's nothing new or unexpected in the treatment here--to absolutely nobody's surprise the hero falls in love with a pretty tragic female character and changes her ending--and while it's perfectly readable and very nicely written in itself, why you'd put it at the start of a collection, still less give it an award, I could not say.
Disappointing.
March 16, 2017
I bought this book long ago, it was probably one of my first John Connolly books I purchased besides The Book of Lost Things. However, I wanted to read the first volume before-hand as I prefer to read things in order.
I loved the short stories in this book! It's hard to narrow down my favorites, but I'd say the following are my top three: The Caxton Lending Library & Book Depository might be my top favorite. I just love the idea of infamous literary characters comes to life! The other longer take, The Fractured Atlas, touches on the occult and little bit of horror. And lastly, Holmes on the Range is a must-read for any Sherlock Holmes fan!
If you're into the paranormal, and love great writing definitely read this. If you're already a John Connolly fan, you'll enjoy reading these as well as learn how and where John has received his influence for writing over the years.
I loved the short stories in this book! It's hard to narrow down my favorites, but I'd say the following are my top three: The Caxton Lending Library & Book Depository might be my top favorite. I just love the idea of infamous literary characters comes to life! The other longer take, The Fractured Atlas, touches on the occult and little bit of horror. And lastly, Holmes on the Range is a must-read for any Sherlock Holmes fan!
If you're into the paranormal, and love great writing definitely read this. If you're already a John Connolly fan, you'll enjoy reading these as well as learn how and where John has received his influence for writing over the years.
October 17, 2019
A series of creepy stories told in the meticulous, well-crafted, fascinating style which belongs to Mr. Connolly. (I just bought his newest novel - he is by far my favorite writer.)
Anyhow, some of these tales are a big long, like novellas, but they hook you, drag you in, force you to swallow the worm on the bait-hook and gag you - just a little - as you swallow it all down. My favorite: The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, which is actually two stories, one at the begin. of the collection, another at the end. So unique and insightful and yet fantastic. I can't even begin to explain this. (I tried in the car earlier with a friend and got lost in the detail!)
But we've got demons and possession and twist endings and other kinds of endings, all set in a somewhat surreal, maybe supernatural, but real world. Mr. Connolly is just soooo hard to describe.
Anyhow, a great collection. I need to own it.
Five stars.
Anyhow, some of these tales are a big long, like novellas, but they hook you, drag you in, force you to swallow the worm on the bait-hook and gag you - just a little - as you swallow it all down. My favorite: The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, which is actually two stories, one at the begin. of the collection, another at the end. So unique and insightful and yet fantastic. I can't even begin to explain this. (I tried in the car earlier with a friend and got lost in the detail!)
But we've got demons and possession and twist endings and other kinds of endings, all set in a somewhat surreal, maybe supernatural, but real world. Mr. Connolly is just soooo hard to describe.
Anyhow, a great collection. I need to own it.
Five stars.
March 15, 2022
The book opens with The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository. This may be my favorite short story ever. I wanted more. I wanted to never leave that story. :)
March 7, 2016
Certain authors are just born to write short stories. And John Connolly is one of them! This is my first time reading one of his books. And now I am a big...no scratch that, I've crossed over to the dark side and turned into a huge fan.
First off, it was the cover that caught my eye; creepy, dark, mysterious...perfect for the October release. And I am a sucker for awesome typography/graphic design.
And the stories? All of them delightful in their own way. Some are pretty dark and scary (The Fractured Atlas), others downright terrifying (The Lamia) and the first and last, both featuring The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (now that is a mouthful) are more fantastical and whimsical in tone. These two are also my favorites. Nice finishing touch is the essay with some musings of the writing kind.
To sum it up: This Connolly can tell a good tale!
Review copy supplied by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a rating and/or review.
First off, it was the cover that caught my eye; creepy, dark, mysterious...perfect for the October release. And I am a sucker for awesome typography/graphic design.
And the stories? All of them delightful in their own way. Some are pretty dark and scary (The Fractured Atlas), others downright terrifying (The Lamia) and the first and last, both featuring The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (now that is a mouthful) are more fantastical and whimsical in tone. These two are also my favorites. Nice finishing touch is the essay with some musings of the writing kind.
To sum it up: This Connolly can tell a good tale!
Review copy supplied by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a rating and/or review.
December 7, 2016
A great collection of short ( and not so short) stories.
May 13, 2020
No había leído nada de John Connolly hasta ahora pero tenía ganas de hacerlo y me pareció ideal a través de relatos ya que uno debe tiene que ser más hábil para demostrar el talento en 20 páginas que en 300.
Los relatos tienen temáticas diferentes, eso se agradece porque sería un poco pesado leer sobre lo mismo. De hecho, ya es precisamente lo que me ocurrió con esos cinco fragmentos del Atlas. También su extensión difiere de unos a otros, pero en general he disfrutado más con los cortos que con los largos y la ambientación de la mayoría es buena.
Todos los que están relacionados con la lectura, con los libros o los personajes literarios son los que recordaré mejor pues siempre es un placer volver a encontrar a aquellos que ya conoces y descubrir a nuevos en otras obras.
Por el momento creo que dejaré un tiempo antes de volver a la obra de Connolly, pues aunque muchos me han gustado, confieso que me ha costado terminar con las casi 450 páginas que tiene. Y si en lugar de encontrarme con 13 relatos, hubieran sido la mitad, lo hubiera agradecido.
Así pues, es un libro entretenido, recomendable siempre y cuando lo alternemos con otros pues leerlo todo de golpe puede ser un poco pesado.
Los relatos están más enfocados al terror que a la novela negra, pero en ningún momento creo que puedan provocarnos miedo, ni siquiera horror. Tienen su punto interesante pero se queda ahí, no me ha acabado de convencer, no digo que sea malo pero tampoco me ha encantado.
Puedes leer mi reseña completa en mi blog: https://www.resibooks.com/2020/05/joh...
Los relatos tienen temáticas diferentes, eso se agradece porque sería un poco pesado leer sobre lo mismo. De hecho, ya es precisamente lo que me ocurrió con esos cinco fragmentos del Atlas. También su extensión difiere de unos a otros, pero en general he disfrutado más con los cortos que con los largos y la ambientación de la mayoría es buena.
Todos los que están relacionados con la lectura, con los libros o los personajes literarios son los que recordaré mejor pues siempre es un placer volver a encontrar a aquellos que ya conoces y descubrir a nuevos en otras obras.
Por el momento creo que dejaré un tiempo antes de volver a la obra de Connolly, pues aunque muchos me han gustado, confieso que me ha costado terminar con las casi 450 páginas que tiene. Y si en lugar de encontrarme con 13 relatos, hubieran sido la mitad, lo hubiera agradecido.
Así pues, es un libro entretenido, recomendable siempre y cuando lo alternemos con otros pues leerlo todo de golpe puede ser un poco pesado.
Los relatos están más enfocados al terror que a la novela negra, pero en ningún momento creo que puedan provocarnos miedo, ni siquiera horror. Tienen su punto interesante pero se queda ahí, no me ha acabado de convencer, no digo que sea malo pero tampoco me ha encantado.
Puedes leer mi reseña completa en mi blog: https://www.resibooks.com/2020/05/joh...
April 16, 2020
No sé si es que no estoy acostumbrado a las historias cortas y los relatos pero... este libro no es que me haya gustado mucho. Incluso el relato del Atlas que al principio me parecía interesante y bien armado, al final me ha resultado un poco - demasiado - largo de más y aburrido al final.
Hay otros relatos que para mí no tenían sentido ninguno, o los de libre interpretación al final de la historia que si era para dejar volar la imaginación, a mí no me ha dado ese sentimiento.
Creo que al final lo único que me ha gustado ha sido los relatos de la biblioteca por su originalidad y la idea que engloba y el ensayo del autor al final del libro porque habla de mis clásicos favoritos.
Le doy esas tres estrellas de "está bien, pero podría mejorar."
Hay otros relatos que para mí no tenían sentido ninguno, o los de libre interpretación al final de la historia que si era para dejar volar la imaginación, a mí no me ha dado ese sentimiento.
Creo que al final lo único que me ha gustado ha sido los relatos de la biblioteca por su originalidad y la idea que engloba y el ensayo del autor al final del libro porque habla de mis clásicos favoritos.
Le doy esas tres estrellas de "está bien, pero podría mejorar."
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